Why do you need an LVIA?

A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment can be more than just a planning tool

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National Character Areas

What is involved?

  A baseline study through desktop research, mapping and site visits

A Scoping stage to identify key issues and agree on viewpoints

 Assessment of the effects : the potential changes during the project life cycle are predicted and the significance of these effects are judged based on the magnitude of change and sensitivity of the landscape and visual receptors

 Mitigation Measures

  Comprehensive Report that adheres to the  ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLIVIA, 2013)’ as endorsed by the Landscape Institute and IEM, plus associated updates.

How can R-LA help achieve a successful application?
R-LA starts every project by looking outside the red line and analysing the landscape before any design ideas are crafted, regardless of whether the LPA has requested a specific assessment. This data forms the backbone of all R-LA landscape strategies and not only ensures that a sensitive design emerges from the outset but also means that clients can feel confident heading into any planning process that any constraints have been addressed.

First, R-LA carries out a desktop study where we use GIS data to map the site and get a better idea of the landscape both within and outside the red boundary.

Examples of GIS data:
Landscape designations
Public Rights of Way
 Heritage Buildings
 Multiple Deprivation Index
 Risk of River and Surface Water Flooding
 Geology

R-LA then puts forward a set of viewpoints that represent key receptors; this is done through the preparation of a Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) using DSM data. Once these points are approved by the council a field assessment is carried out in which baseline photographs are taken to record the existing views as set out by the ​Landscape Institute Technical Guidance Note (September 2019).

R-LA will then assess the potential changes at each viewpoint and make a judgement on the significance of the effects these changes will have in terms of the landscape and the visual receptors.

The conclusions of the LVIA will influence the proposals which means that with every project there will be a degree of mitigation already in place to avoid or reduce potential effects.

Finally, a comprehensive report is submitted to the LPA which outlines the impact on the landscape both in terms of visual sensitivity and magnitude of change.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

DSM                                     
Digital Surface Model captures both the natural and built features of the environment 

DTM  
Digital Terrain Model is a raster elevation model created from laser pulses returned to a sensor and captures the features of natural

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)      
The evaluation of the effects on the environment of particular development proposals containing reports from other professionals such as ecologists, hydrologists, and heritage consultants.

Geographical Information System (GIS)                     
Computerised database of geographical information that can easily be updated and manipulated.

Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI)
Area within which a proposed development may have an influence or effect on visual amenity.

Landscape Visual Impact Assessment

Zone of Visual Influence

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